Port seeks input on improvements from business, residents

At Monday's meeting of the Port Jervis Common Council, Kathy Hendrickson, Community Development Agency director, said she wants to hear the city improvement wishes of business owners and residents, as the Aug. 12 deadline approaches for New York State Consolidated Funding grant applications.

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By Jessica Cohen

recordonline.com

By Jessica Cohen

Posted Jul. 26, 2013 at 2:00 AM

By Jessica Cohen
Posted Jul. 26, 2013 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

At Monday's meeting of the Port Jervis Common Council, Kathy Hendrickson, Community Development Agency director, said she wants to hear the city improvement wishes of business owners and residents, as the Aug. 12 deadline approaches for New York State Consolidated Funding grant applications.

Hendrickson presented a plan to apply for funding to pave an access road that would run from Fourth Street to North Street, along the railroad tracks by Riverside Park.

Vince Lopez, DPW director, who recommended this project, said the road, which is now just rough gravel, would allow visitors to the anticipated whitewater park to bypass East Main Street, preventing traffic congestion.

It would also provide a way in and out of the Acre neighborhood when the nearby underpass floods, as it has periodically.

Lopez said the road would cost about $330,000.

Hendrickson also plans to apply for a grant to permanently repair 46-48 Front St., which the city now owns as a result of a tax lien sale. The back of the building collapsed last year.

"For Front Street, they should also throw in painting the backs of buildings," said 4th Ward Councilman Stanley Siegel. He suggested applying for a grant to improve the appearance of Port Jervis as seen from the trains that pass through.

"The backs of buildings are dilapidated. They need painting and signage," Siegel said. "Hundreds of people come and go. If they saw signs, they might stop."

Having traveled across the country several times by train, Siegel noticed the way other communities decorate the backs of businesses that face passenger train tracks, to draw people in, as Port Jervis businesses had also done years ago.

He said that two years ago Sherwin-Williams donated paint, but a plan to have Boy Scouts do the painting was scuttled by liability issues.

Hendrickson said the CDA is also developing a plan to expand West End Beach with picnic tables and grills. Siegel said he advocated the plan as councilman-at-large from 2002-05, though concerns about flooding in that area between riverbanks caused hesitation and delay.

"This time I won't give up on it," he said.

The site has many ancient trees, and with partial clearing, he envisions an idyllic location for recreation and picnics, with furniture bolted down and locked in ways that make removal easy in preparation for flooding or winter weather.

Hendrickson said she has been interviewing business owners about their needs that might be addressed with grant funding. She sent a note to Bill Paladino, CEO of Ellicott Development, to see if he has "shovel-ready needs" for the rehabilitation of Pike Plaza.

"You can provide incentives with matching grants and low-interest loans, so you can do more," said Hendrickson. "For instance, we could apply for funds for the plaza facade."

She said she is also working with a couple planning a day care and early childhood education center. Though she declined to identify them, she said, "They're longtime residents with a solid plan, working with a banker. They've been developing the idea and looking for a site. This came up last month. I hope we can be ready, but maybe not for this round."

Meanwhile, the July 31 deadline for paying tax and water bills is approaching, and 333 overdue notices went out in July, said City Clerk Robin Waizenegger. While some paid, 271 are still owing. Payments can still be made until Nov. 19, the date of the tax lien sale, but interests and penalties will accrue.

"The city doesn't have power to forgive taxes," she said. "But if you stop by, we have information on resources that might help you cope."

The meeting was recorded by a volunteer for Access 23 TV, but Siegel said they need more volunteers to record council meetings.